Single Binge Drinking Can Damage Your Gut

New research shows that even one session of heavy drinking—about four drinks for women or five drinks for men in around two hours—can harm the gut.

The study found that just one binge can make the gut less able to stop harmful bacteria and toxins from entering the bloodstream. This is called a “leaky gut.” A leaky gut can cause inflammation and put extra stress on organs, especially the liver.

The research was published in the journal Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research.

“While we know long-term heavy drinking can damage the gut and liver, we didn’t know much about what happens in the gut in the very early stages,” said Gyongyi Szabo, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the study’s lead author.

The study shows that even occasional binge drinking can trigger inflammation and weaken the gut’s protective barrier. This may be one of the first steps toward alcohol-related gut and liver problems.

The findings suggest the gut reacts quickly to alcohol, even before someone drinks heavily for a long time. Protecting gut health may help prevent liver and digestive issues.

Experts say avoiding binge drinking, even sometimes, can keep the gut and liver healthier. Small changes, like drinking less at once, can make a big difference.